Darwin Treasure Hunt - Enjoy The Fun of Collecting

Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery is inviting families to come and take part in a free treasure hunt around the galleries of Rowley’s House and as part of the 200th anniversary celebrations of the birth of Charles Darwin, all children taking part will receive a prize for successfully completing the puzzle.

This family activity has been organised to coincide with the museum’s special Christmas Shop, the “Cargo of Curiosities” a colourful interpretation of the treasures Darwin brought back to England following his five year voyage on HMS Beagle.

The treasure hunt includes a “postcard from Charles Darwin” which features a unique fresco depicting Darwin’s voyage and some of the animals he encountered. The fresco has been commissioned this year by Shrewsbury School from Slovenian artist, Maja Subic. Maja is one of a few artists trained to paint in this manner, directly onto wet plaster.

Shrewsbury has enjoyed a year of celebrations during the anniversary year, which also marks the 150th anniversary of one of the world’s most famous publications, The Origin of the Species. Other highlights of the calendar of events this year have included the gradual appearance of a new sculpture – 'Quantum Leap'; and the unveiling of the Darwin Way Markers, which offer visitors a new way of following in the footsteps of Darwin. Replicas of the specially commissioned way markers are available from Rowley’s House.

“We want people to come and have fun while discovering more about Shropshire” said Councillor Steve Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure Services. “Entry to the Museum is free and we believe this special family trail along with our fabulous seasonal shop will provide an added incentive this Christmas to come along and enjoy the displays and explore Rowley’s House. In addition we are offering a chance to handle real artefacts and find out more about the museum’s collection with hands-on sessions every Saturday up until Christmas at 1.00pm.”

There is currently a special exhibition on display about Charles Darwin, his family and his contemporaries. The Museum's opening hours are 10am to 5.00pm, Monday to Saturday and it will be closed from 24th December to 2nd January.